Chapter 29
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I kept the painting back in its space and left the gallery with great concern.
I sat on the bed as soon as a got to the room and I tried knitting,my grandma would knit whenever she had something troubling her,she said it would help her channel the worries into whatever she's knitting. I decided to give it a try in order to clear my mind.
I got a call from mum as I was knitting. She sounded elated in the phone, I asked about dad and everyone else. She said Damien called them sometimes ago to ask about her and dad's wellbeing.
"Oh that's great "I replied trying to hide my surprise.
After I finished speaking with mum, I continued to knit,I didn't know when I dozed off.
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I woke up to see Damien in the room,sitting on the couch focusing on the system before him. I looked at the table clock and was surprised.
'I must have fallen a sleep for long and why didn't I noticed when he entered " I thought as I got off the bed.
"Hi" He said as I to sat on the couch opposite him.
" When did you get back " I asked almost immediately.
"Not quite long,you seemed to be enjoying your sleep so I decided not to wake you" He replied.
I smiled and offered to help with his work but he declined and asked for a cup of coffee. I placed the coffee on the table before him and wondered if I should ask him about the painting once he's done with what he has to do.
"I saw the other painting you made. What is it all about?" I asked as soon as I noticed he was done working.
"The man in the picture would probably be me in the future " he said and forced a smile on his face.
"Why would you say that?. Is it about your work?,I notice you look really stressed whenever you come home from the office. Is everything okay " I asked concerned
"I'm fine you don't have to worry" He said and got up and head to the washroom.
'What could have made him see himself as someone who would be unhappy just like the man in the painting?. Was it because he thought we would fail the placement test and then would have to remain single forever?' These thoughts kept troubling my mind and then all of a sudden I thought of Diane.
I went to Diane's room in order to explain the situation and probably seek advice as well.
" Hi Seraphine,come on in" She said gesturing me to enter the room.
"Diane I have something to ask you" I said in a serious tone as I sat on the chair.
"Do you know if Damien is unhappy about something?" I asked
"I can't think of any reason except that he dislikes that fact that dad stopped him from painting,but that is a long time ago and I think he has gotten over it" She replied.
"Oh okay " I said wondering if she knows that he brother still paints sometimes.
"Is there a problem with him?" She asked
"Oh no there isn't,I was just thinking of a way to be of help to him" I replied not knowing why I refrained from telling her the truth.
"Okay I know a way to make him happy and that's if you reciprocate....never mind ." She said leaving me confused.
"Reciprocate what?" I asked but she wouldn't reply.
I left her room a while after a little girls talk.
It suddenly occurred to me 'what if she was trying to tell me to reciprocate his kind gestures? that makes sense' I thought. But how would I do that? Should I get him a gift or should I tell him I'd grant him a wish?
No! granting him a wish is too extreme what if he asks for something I can't afford?.
"What kind of gift can I get him to cheer him up,I don't even know much about him. This is leading to a dead end" I muttered to myself.
I went to the kitchen to get food to eat and get one for Damien as well. I met mother there monitoring the cook as she was cooking dinner then I suddenly remembered 'the get away'. Damien would love the idea of a vacation,I can get it for him alone while I stay back.
'That sounds like a good plan!' I thought.
"Mother can I talk to you for a moment " I said
"Sure What is it?" She replied as she left the cook.
"I was thinking of the vacation you told me about earlier. So I'm interested in renting the island " I replied as if a broke lady like me can afford to pay for it.
"Oh I rented it already for you both and the ticket is with me,but I asked Damien earlier and he objected saying you wouldn't like such a thing" She replied.
'Damien said that? That's so thoughtful of him'I thought and that made me more firm about my decision to give him a gift and I know the vacation is the perfect gift I can give him. He would be off work stress for a week,he would have the opportunity to unwind and paint to his heart full.
"Mother can I get the ticket ?i would really love to go" I said. Mother clears her throat and chuckled "alright I will get you the ticket" she replied and patted my shoulder as she took her leave.
"Mother!" I called out as she was about to leave and walked up to her. "Pls prepare the ticket for one person only" I said and I can see the puzzled look on her face. " I want to give it to Damien as a gift" I explained.
"Okay now I understand. That's so thoughtful of you" She replied.
I told a maid to bring two plates of food over to my room and left feeling so excited about everything.